That’s a really interesting comparison between Osama’s hideout and an actual business, but you are missing a few notable facts.

Without entering into discussion on the reasons why the US would invade other countries, I would like to focus on the reasons why a listing like Osama’s Hideout might not give you all the information you request for:

1) If the listing is not claimed, the problem is not Osama’s. It’s Google’s because it posts business information on their property without the knowledge and the agreement of the business owner. They do not even notify the business owner that their information would be displayed there. So… maybe Osama just doesn’t know he has this listing on Google Maps?

2) Imagine that Osama doesn’t want to actually have a listing on Google Maps. There is no opt-out program for that. Even if Osama is already out of business, somewhere in Southern Argentina, this listing for his business in Pakistan will still be displayed. If he decides to delete it, it would pop up again, unless he deletes all the information from his business at that ex-location.

3) Let’s say Osama decided to claim his listing. Maybe he doesn’t serve potential clients at that location, because he travels to their location (say, the United States, although as far as I know he has never been there personally). Maybe it’s his home location, but he is still forced to put it on Google Maps, because the verification process is by postcard only and Google does not accept PO boxes. Then his only chance would be to hide his address once his listing is verified and to set a service area. But wait, Google does not currently display the service area even if the business designated it.

4) OK, Osama claimed his listing and hid his address. He decided to set the working hours, mostly because of the time difference Pakistan – USA. But wait, Google does not display the working hours in many occasions even if you set them.

Final question: who is the bad guy? Osama or Google?

Just did a search again for [sopa successors] and that site doesn’t show, so even that temporary hit wasn’t all that damaging.

Thanks for stopping by.

Smaller companies, as stated, would have taken revenue hits that they probably couldn’t handle, but SEO-wise I don’t think it’s anything drastically game-changing.

I am dealing with some Canadian clients and this post really help me to find out more about citation.

Thanks a lot

Adnan